Hat-wearing crossing guard off the job

He'd don his Uncle Sam hat on the Pearl Harbor anniversary and a leprechaun hat for St. Patrick's Day. But Friday, Sinclair, 77, wore his last hat on his final day of employment.

Sinclair said his employer, Brevard County's criminal-justice services, warned him he could face discipline because he continued to violate procedures. Sinclair is convinced that the threats were sparked because of his hat-wearing habits.

Sinclair's supervisor, Stan Linder, said Sinclair's disciplinary action had "nothing to do with him wearing or not wearing hats."

"He chose to ignore a lawful directive," Linder said.

A dress code the county adopted years ago requires guards to wear a uniform similar to that of firefighters. The only permissible hat is a baseball cap with a crossing-guard logo.

Sinclair was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this month and submitted his resignation Tuesday. On Friday, he put on an elf hat and wished the kids Merry Christmas.